If you lose the hearing, you can ask for a review by the Appeals Council in Virginia. The appeal is not an in-person hearing. The Appeals Council does a paper review of your case.
You must file form “HA-520 Request for Review of Decision/Order of Administrative Law Judge” within 60 days of getting notice of the ALJ’s decision. Get the form from Social Security or online.
To get the form online go to www.ssa.gov and enter “HA-520” into the search bar. Fill it out and mail or take it to your local social security office.
You can also appeal online. Go to www.ssa.gov.
- click on the box that says “Disability”
- click on “Appeal a Decision” section on the right side of screen
- click the blue box that says “Request for Review by the Appeals Council”
- click the next blue box that says “Request Appeals Council Review”
Put in any new reports or evidence you have, but don’t put off filing the request because you can’t get the evidence together. File first if you have to, then send the new evidence as soon as you can. The Appeals Council gives you 25 days to submit your evidence after you file your appeal. You can also ask for more time.
The Appeals Council reviews the recording of the hearing and the papers in your file plus any new written evidence that you send. They can send the case back for another hearing, deny your appeal, or overrule the ALJ and find you eligible.